Course Description for MA461: Perspectives in Mathematics - Fall 2000

Instructor: Dr. Josef M Breutzmann   Phone: 352-8342  Office: BHS 218

Fall 2000 Office Hours: MWF 8:30-9:00, 1:15-2:20; T 8:30-9:20, TH1:15-2:20

Course Meeting Time: Tuesday and Thursday 2:50-3:40 in BHS 202.

Prerequisite: Mathematics or mathematics education majors in final Fall term at Wartburg.

Objectives: The student should ...

i) ... gain a sense of the role of mathematics in our society,

ii) ... gain historical perspective within the discipline,

iii) ... gain an appreciation and understanding of the philosophical dimensions of the discipline of mathematics,

iv) ... become aware of and begin to form opinions regarding some of the societal and ethical issues confronting mathematics professionals,

v) ... improve their written and oral communication skills through discussion, research, writing and speaking. [the course is writing intensive]

Text(s): Davis, Phillip J., Hersh, Reuben, and Marchisotto, Elena The Mathematical Experience-Study Edition. Birkhäuser:Boston, 1995.     Additional readings selected by the students.

Evaluation: Grades will be based on performance in the following categories. A minimum of 60% must be earned in each category or an additional reduction in cumulative grade will result.

Mathematical Autobiography - [5%] Each student will write a mathematical autobiography discussing their lifetime experiences with mathematics. Included will be the how and why of their decision to major in mathematics and future goals in the mathematical sciences along with 'mathematically' formative events in their lives. More details will be provided in class. This will be due early in the term.

First Paper and Presentation- [15%] Each student will select an historical, professional or content subject for their first paper.  The assignment will include a paper and short presentation of the subject to the class. More details will be provided in class. These papers will be due before mid-term break and presentations will begin in time to be completed by midterm break as well.

Team Topics/Discussions - [15%] Students, acting in teams of 2, (and each student being on two such teams,) will be responsible for selecting a topic for class discussion. The topics will be of a social, ethical, philosophical or 'controversial' nature. In consultation with the instructor, this will consist of (a) selecting the topic, (b) selecting the class readings on the topic, (c) preparing an introduction for the class, (d) leading the (on-line) class discussion on the topic, and (e) summarizing the class discussion at its conclusion. More details will be provided in class. The topic selection and associated reading lists will be done early in the term and the discussions spaced out over the course of the term. Discussion periods will be approximately 2 weeks long with two overlapping discussions proceeding simultaneously.

(On-line) Discussion - [20%] Students will participate in discussion of the eleven student-selected topics described above as well as a few introductory topics selected by the instructor. This discussion will (hopefully) be online and outside of scheduled class time. Each student should keep an electronic copy of their contributions to serve as a journal for the course to serve as a backup should the system fail. More details will be provided in class.

Major Topic - [30%] Each student will select a topic, approved by the instructor, for their major paper. It may be, but need not be tied to one of the the topics discussed in class. Preference will be given for topics of a philosophical or ethical nature. The topics will also be the subject of a classroom presentation and a poster. More details will be provided in class. Papers and posters will be due at Thanksgiving with presentations scheduled at the end of the term to include the normal final exam period. [Thursday of exam week!]

Miscellaneous Writings and Activities - [15%] other activities may include: biography of 'interesting' mathematician, review of mathematical professional organizations, book report/review, video review, field trip, technical article report, outside speaker, interviews of department faculty, subject areas in math careeers/grad school info, career center director, students may suggest aditional ideas.